Religious Education
Welcome To
Religious Education
As a Church of England School, RE is a core subject along with Mathematics and English. We aim to help children to become religiously literate at an appropriate level for their age group. We teach a locally agreed syllabus as stipulated by the Diocesan of Blackburn which integrates the Understanding Christianity programme.
This syllabus has deliberately been designed to be creative and challenging and thereby it encourages all who engage with it to recognise that they are effectively on a quest to discover a great deal. Children (and teachers!) will be encouraged to ask lots of questions – even those which seem impossible to answer – and to search together for answers and understanding, because that is the essence of a good journey and meaningful pilgrimage.
Our school community naturally guides pupils to discover answers to their questions. In addition, pupils will experience a range of mainstream worldwide Christian denominations and other world faiths.
The teaching of the Christianity strand of our RE syllabus is focused around the Understanding Christianity resource and aims to support pupils as a contribution to their understanding of the world and their own experience within it. Understanding Christianity offers a clear, coherent approach to teaching and learning about Christianity in RE. It is based around a selection of core Christian concepts and structured across the primary age range to support pupils in deepening their understanding. It is designed to get children discussing, thinking and respectfully challenging thoughts and views in a creative way, for example, through dance, art, music or drama.
To support children with their understanding of the Bible and Christianity we use “”The Big Story of the Bible” which is focused around the following narrative:
Creation
Fall
People of God
Incarnation
Gospel
Salvation
Kingdom of God
We use “The Big Frieze” to help us understand the Bible narrative. The Big Frieze presents a view of the Bible as more than a collection of different texts – one which has an overarching coherence. Children relate their learning in both RE and worship to the part of the Big Frieze they are learning about. It is designed to make children aware of the wider context of each concept as shown above.
At Poulton St. Chad’s Church of England Primary School we promise that during their time at school our children will have enjoyed several key Christian experiences. As a result pupils will:
- Be able to confidently talk about their own beliefs and opinions.
- Be able to talk knowledgeably and with understanding about Christianity.
- Respect people of all faiths and none.
- Be able to talk knowledgeably and with understanding about faiths other than Christianity.
During their time at school children will have experienced being loved, valued and respected as a child of God through:
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Key Experience |
The way by which this experience is achieved |
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Praying meaningfully as an individual and as part of a larger group and experiencing an answer to prayer |
A Praise Party |
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To have been in a place/situation where they have had an opportunity to meet God |
Visiting the local church and meeting members of the church Visiting a cathedral Go to church on a Sunday Experience going on a pilgrimage |
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Forgiveness and new start |
A school behaviour policy rooted in Christian values |
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A feeling of a sense of belonging the church family and the church school family |
Easter – to have celebrated Holy Week and Easter so that pupils have an understanding of the deep meaning of these celebrations Taking part in a church service The celebration of Christmas including taking part in a traditional nativity play Taking part in a Christian charity/community service school project Creating a Christian banner/display/artwork Leading worship as part of a team in a variety of situations Meeting a Bishop and clergy other than the parish priest Experience a communion service |
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Awe and wonder including silence and stillness, amazement at God’s creation, art and music |
Worshipping outdoors in our Spiritual Garden Be part of decorating the church for a festival with members of the church Take part on a Graveyard trail |
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During their time at a Church of England School pupils should learn and know… |
The way by which this experience is achieved |
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God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and that this is the Trinity |
Focus on the Trinity during Whole School Worship delivered by our clergy and through our Religious Education Syllabus for Church Schools Unit 6.6 Ideas about God |
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Lord’s Prayer in either traditional or modern format. To know that Jesus taught his disciples this prayer and that it is said by Christians worldwide. |
Taught as part of daily Whole School Worship and through our Religious Education Syllabus for Church Schools The Lord’s Prayer |
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A variety of Bible stories, OT and NT including Creation, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, the Nativity, Easter and Pentecost, Feeding of the 5000, Healing of Bartimaeus Zacchaeus, and Calling of the Disciples. |
Taught as part of Whole School Worship and through our Religious Education Syllabus for Church Schools |
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Christian Symbols- recognise the cross, crucifix, fish and icons. |
Taught as part of Whole School Worship and through our Religious Education Syllabus for Church Schools Unit 2.4 Easter Celebration and Symbols. Also encouraged during our RE Creative Week: Multi-cultural Christianity and Year 2s Trip to Blackburn Cathedral. |
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Christian values and the fruits of the spirit. |
Taught as part of Whole School Worship, displays and through our Religious Education Syllabus for Church Schools |
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Liturgical responses such as: The Lord be with you, And also with you. Alleluia Christ is risen. He is risen indeed , alleluia. Peace be with you. And also with you. This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God |
Taught as part of Whole School Worship and through our Religious Education Syllabus for Church Schools |
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How to reference a Bible and be able to talk about the contents of the Old and New Testaments and variety of genre of writing in the Bible. |
Taught as part of Whole School Worship and through our Religious Education Syllabus for Church Schools Unit 2.1 The Bible (Year 2) and Unit 5.1 How and why do Christians read the Bible? (Year 5) |
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The Grace |
Taught as part of Whole School Worship |
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That Christianity is a world faith |
The focus of our RE Creative Week: Multi-Cultural Christianity. |
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A variety of worship songs and hymns |
Taught as part of Prayer and Praise Whole School Worship and Class Worship |
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The Church year, colours and rites of passage. |
Taught as part of Whole School Worship and through our Religious Education Syllabus for Church Schools Unit 2.5 The Church (Year 2) Unit 4.5 The Church inc. the Church Year (Year 4) |
Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Development (SMSC) in Religious Education:
The integration of Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural Development (SMSC) within the primary Religious Education (RE) curriculum in a church school is pivotal in fostering holistic growth among pupils. This framework not only enhances students’ understanding of their faith but also cultivates essential life skills.
Spiritual development encourages children to explore beliefs, values, and the meaning of life, promoting a sense of identity and belonging. Through engaging with religious texts and practices, pupils learn to reflect on their experiences and develop a personal spirituality.
Moral development is equally significant, as it instils a sense of right and wrong, guiding students in making ethical decisions. This is achieved through discussions on moral dilemmas presented in religious narratives, enabling children to appreciate diverse perspectives.
Social development is fostered through collaborative activities that encourage respect, empathy, and cooperation. By participating in community service and church activities, pupils learn the importance of social responsibility.
Cultural development broadens students’ understanding of various cultures and traditions, fostering respect and appreciation for diversity. The curriculum includes exploration of different faiths and cultural practices, enriching pupils’ worldviews and promoting inclusivity.
In summary, the SMSC framework within the primary RE curriculum is essential in nurturing well-rounded individuals equipped with the skills necessary for active participation in a diverse society.